Voters in the 11th Congressional District, both the old and new districts, split on who they want to replace former U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter.

They'll get a Democrat in Congress for the rest of this year and a Republican in Congress for the two years beginning in January.

Voters picked Democrat David Curson from Belleville over Republican Kerry Bentivolio from Milford to fill out McCotter's term this year in a district that has more of Wayne County than Oakland County.

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But voters picked Bentivolio over Democrat Syed Taj from Canton for the two-year term beginning in January in a redrawn district that shifts heavily into Oakland County.

Curson, 64, will join a Congress that, in the remaining weeks of the year, will try to avoid the so-called "fiscal cliff," the combination of spending reductions and tax break expirations set to take effect at the end of the year, and which many fear would drive the U.S. economy back into recession.

Curson is a journeyman diemaker and UAW representative.

"Now that the election is over, I am honored and I will work hard to live up to the expectations and trust placed in me," Curson said in a statement.

"I didn't run for this office for a title. I ran to help break the gridlock in Washington and to do my part to move our nation forward; ensuring Social Security and Medicare is protected, a fair tax structure is put in place and make every effort to bring jobs to Michigan."

The UAW also sent its kudos to Curson.

"Dave Curson is a dedicated union activist, Vietnam veteran and patriot and will be a valuable asset to the United States Congress as they finish the important work of this congressional calendar," said UAW President Bob King.

Until the end of the year, the district includes the Oakland County communities of Highland, White Lake Township, Milford, Lyon and Commerce townships, part of Waterford Township, and Novi, Walled Lake, Wolverine Lake, Wixom and part of Northville.

Curson defeated Bentivolio for the partial term by a vote of 159,267 to 151,740.

However, Bentivolio was the winner against Taj for the two-year term by a vote of 181,796 to 158,889.

When Bentivolio is seated in January, the district will shift more into Oakland County and represent the Oakland County communities of Auburn Hills, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, part of Clawson, Commerce Township, Farmington, Highland Township, Lake Angelus, Lyon Township, Milford, Milford Township, Northville, Novi, Novi Township, part of Rochester Hills, South Lyon, Troy, Walled Lake, Waterford Township, part of West Bloomfield Township, White Lake Township, Wixom and Wolverine Lake, and the Wayne County communities of Canton Township, Livonia, Northville Township, Plymouth and Plymouth Township.

A military veteran, former teacher and reindeer farmer, Bentivolio's odd path to Congress, and Curson's, began when McCotter, a 10-year incumbent, didn't file enough valid signatures to get on the ballot after he abandoned his quest for the Republican presidential nomination.

McCotter opted against a write-in campaign in the primary, leaving Bentivolio the sole Republican on the ballot. Bentivolio defeated write-in candidate Nancy Cassis in the primary to move the general election ballot.

McCotter abruptly quit Congress in July after a criminal investigation into the faulty nominating signatures filed on his behalf, and a number of his former staff are currently being adjudicated.

McCotter's resignation forced a special election. Bentivolio defeated a number of Republicans in a special primary to move to the partial term election Tuesday against Curson.

Contact Charles Crumm at 248-745-4649, charlie.crumm@oakpress.com or follow him on Twitter @crummc and on Facebook. More information is at oaklandmichiganpolitics.blogspot.com. Keep up with the latest in local news by texting OPNews to 22700. Msg & Data Rates May Apply. Text HELP for help. Text STOP to cancel.